Product Quality
Find comprehensive resources and advice on dairy production, milk quality, processing, and standards. Learn the best milking practices, cow milk assessment, as well as dairy health and nutrition facts. Make the most out of this dairy producers’ knowledge hub on increasing cows’ milk production.
Dairy Production
A major factor in the volatility of the dairy industry is the fact that the quantity and quality of milk produced over time cannot be guaranteed. Advice on best milking practices and frequency can help dairy farmers improve the quality of their products and increase profit. Learn how to best monitor and control factors such as cow health, nutrition, and milking procedures.
Cows must be in excellent health to provide high-quality milk, and Penn State Extension provides comprehensive resources on the topic of dairy herd health. An efficient level of milk production will ensure that your dairy cattle are comfortable and promote udder health. At the same time, cows with healthy udders generally produce the desired volume of high-quality milk. Indicators such as high somatic cell counts (SCC) or high total bacteria count (TBC) simultaneously affect cattle health and milk quality standards. For additional information, look up our Dairy Cow Health and Diseases resources section.
High-quality milk comes from managing health and nutrition in your herd. Find resources on feed management, fat supplementation, and more. We also encourage you to explore the Dairy Cow Nutrition and Feeding resources for a deep-dive into nutritional and feeding factors that can impact your milk production strategy.
Milk Quality, Pasteurization, and Raw Milk
Whether you are using a pasteurization process, supply your milk to a third-party processor, or sell raw milk, you can get up-to-date advice on all the processes involved in preserving milk’s freshness, flavor, and quality.
Milk component levels are important factors in herd management – not only are they indicators of cow health and nutrition, but they can also directly impact dairy farm income. Browse our resources for more information on milk components and strategies to improve component production.
A solid understanding of the pasteurization process and milk sanitation requirements is necessary for the production of both saleable and waste milk. Operators can learn the steps of pasteurization as well as sterilization measures for associated equipment.
Dairy Standards and Regulation
For successful dairy farm management, you can access Penn State Extension resources on dairy product standards and regulations. Information on Grade "A" pasteurized Milk Ordinance, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance, and USDA Dairy Product Grades and Standards is available and regularly updated.
- Webinars
Free
Dairy Biosecurity Plan Development for Bovine Influenza A (HPAI)
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Apr 24, 2024Event Format On-Demand | RecordedCraft your dairy farm's biosecurity plan with PA guidelines to combat Bovine Influenza A. Join our webinar for expert guidance. - Articles
Ionophores: A Technology to Improve Cattle Efficiency
This article explains how the use of ionophores—antibiotics that shift ruminal fermentation patterns—can improve cattle production efficiency. - Workshops
Dairy Biosecurity Plan Development for Bovine Influenza A (HPAI)
Length 1 hour, 30 minutesCraft your dairy farm's biosecurity plan with PA guidelines to combat Bovine Influenza A. Join our open-house event for expert guidance. - Articles
Seconds Do Matter in Your Milking Routine
There are many factors that can affect a farm's milking routine. But something to keep in mind is that seconds matter in your routine. - Articles
Milk Quality Effects of a High Somatic Cell Count
A high somatic cell count can affect finished dairy product quality. - Articles
Feasibility of an On-farm Laboratory
Setting up a laboratory to assess raw milk quality and finished dairy products on the farm is an undertaking that can require additional equipment and technical knowledge. - Webinars
Free
Connecting Milk Quality with Udder and Animal Health
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Aug 1, 2023Event Format On-Demand | RecordedJoin this free informative webinar and learn how the quality of milk is affected by animal and udder health and indicators to track, including somatic cell count. - Articles
Nutrition, Immunity and Mastitis
The role of nutrition in mastitis prevention is reviewed relative to its impact on immune response of dairy cows - Webinars
Free
Feed and Milk Quality: Is There a Connection?
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Jul 11, 2023Event Format On-Demand | RecordedDuring this free webinar, learn how the diet of your dairy cows can affect the production of quality milk. - Articles
Streptococcus spp. in Dairy Foods? Is it a New Problem?
Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus is not a new pathogen, but it does pose a risk to humans. - Webinars
Free
Turbulent Times: Taking Care of Milk Once It's Left the Udder
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Jun 20, 2023Event Format On-Demand | RecordedDuring this informative webinar, learn how to minimize damaged or mishandled dairy milk and ensure the highest quality products are distributed to consumers! - Articles
Foodborne Pathogens Can Lurk Around the Farm Environment
The possible presence of foodborne pathogens is a concern to all dairy producers, farms that have value-added dairy businesses should be extremely vigilant. - Articles
Troubleshooting Problems with Low Milk Fat and Milk Protein
This informative article covers the importance of monitoring the milk components of a herd and how it can assist in identifying the health and nutritional status of lactating cows. - Articles
What is a Milking Evaluation and How Can it Help Improve Milk Quality?
The Penn State Extension Dairy Team offers milking evaluations to help dairy producers improve their milk quality and identify issues that could be contributing to an increased Somatic Cell Count (SCC). - Videos
The Strip Yield Test
Length 4:32In this video, you will learn about an easy test that can be performed on your farm to test if overmilking is occurring. With these results, you can monitor unit removal as well as adjust unit take-off to reduce stress on teat ends. - Articles
Interpretation of Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) Values
MUN is a breakdown product of protein and it can be used to monitor protein status of cows. - Articles
2017 Calf-fed Holstein Demonstration Results
This report summarizes the calf-fed holstein demonstration comparing growth performance and economic data of implanted and non-implanted cattle by the PA Beef producers working group in 2017. - Articles
Economics of Supplemental Feeding with Pasture-Based Systems
Consider milk and feed prices, substitution rates, and expected yield and component responses when deciding how much supplemental feed to offer. - Articles
Proper Milking Procedures
Proper milking procedures begin when animals are being brought into the stall, whether that means an individual stall or a parlor "stall." - Articles
Feeding System Considerations for Manufacturing Dairy Products
Production systems can have an impact on the composition and functional properties of the finished dairy product. - Articles
Wearing Gloves on a Dairy Farm
Wearing gloves is a very simple management practice that could help to reduce milk quality issues and limit spreading of contagious and environmental bacteria between quarters and cows. - Articles
Heifer Mastitis: Prevention is the Key!
Prevention of mastitis requires reducing exposure to mastitis pathogens and enhancing the ability of the heifers' immune system to respond. - Articles
Maintaining a Low Somatic Cell Count During the Winter
High somatic cell count is directly correlated to poor udder cleanliness. - Videos
California Mastitis Testing for Dairy Cows
Length 6:29In this video, you will learn how to perform a simple mastitis test called the California Mastitis Test. This test will help to decrease mastitis on your farm. - Articles
Do Farm Audits or Inspections Correspond with Milk Quality?
Inspections are an inevitable part of the routine on most dairy farms.